Weld Department Production Manager

Job Title: Weld Department Production Manager

Department: Manufacturing / Fabrication

Reports To: Production Manager / Operations Manager

FLSA Status: Exempt / Non-Exempt (as applicable)

Position Summary

The Weld Department Production Manager is responsible for overseeing all welding department operations to ensure safety, quality, productivity, and on-time delivery. This role combines strong knowledge of welding with leadership, scheduling, capacity planning, and administrative responsibilities. The Weld Department Production Manager utilizes company resources at his disposal to develop welding processes and procedures, coach and develop employees, and ensure compliance with all applicable codes, standards, and company procedures.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Supervision

• Supervise, coach, and develop welding personnel across all skill levels
• Assign work, set priorities, and ensure adequate staffing to meet production schedules
• Ensure employees are trained on welding techniques, equipment use, safety practices, and quality standards through department leadership and personal involvement.
• Evaluate employee performance and support skill development, certifications, and cross-training
• Foster a culture of safety, accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement

Welding Operations & Technical Oversight

• Oversee welding processes including Stick (SMAW), MIG (GMAW), TIG (GTAW), and robotic welding
• Develop, improve, and standardize welding procedures and work instructions
• Develop where possible and collaborate with Engineering to design/modify fixtures and jigs to improve accuracy, repeatability, and efficiency
• Ensure that weld quality meets customer requirements, engineering drawings, and applicable codes through the use of Quality Control personnel, weld shop lead, and personal observation
• Read and interpret technical drawings, weld symbols, and weld specifications
• Support new product introductions and prototype builds

Quality & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with AWS, CWB, and applicable welding codes and standards
• Support weld inspections, audits, and corrective actions
• Maintain welding procedure specifications (WPS), procedure qualification records (PQR), and welder qualifications
• Collaborate with Quality and Engineering teams to resolve weld defects and root causes

Scheduling, Capacity Planning & Production Control

• Execute daily, weekly, and manage long-term welding schedules
• Perform capacity planning to align labor, equipment, and workload with production demand
• Identify bottlenecks and implement solutions to improve throughput and efficiency
• Communicate with Production, Engineering, Purchasing, and Shipping to meet delivery commitments

Administrative & Systems Responsibilities

• Accurately track labor, production output, and work order status
• Maintain documentation including training records, certifications, schedules, and production reports
• Utilize manufacturing software, ERP systems, scheduling tools, and spreadsheets
• Communicate effectively with administrative, planning, and leadership teams
• Support cost control initiatives related to labor, consumables, scrap, and rework

Safety

• Enforce all safety policies and procedures
• Conduct safety training and toolbox talks
• Ensure proper use of PPE, welding equipment, and material handling tools

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior supervisory or lead experience in a welding or fabrication environment
• AWS or CWB Welding Certification (strongly preferred)
• Certified Weld Inspector (CWI) or CWB Supervisor credential
• Experience with robotic welding systems
• Skilled in recognizing the need for fixture and jig development and collaborating with Engineering team to achieve. Ability to create effective fixturing on the fly to achieve consistently conforming weldments
• Strong knowledge of Stick, MIG, and TIG welding processes
• Proven ability to develop efficient, repeatable welding processes
• Experience training and developing welders at multiple skill levels
• Bilingual (English / Spanish) preferred

Critical Operational Focus: Weld Runtime, Fit-Up, and Fixturing

This role is a key driver of operational improvement within the welding department. A primary expectation of the Weld Department Production Manager is to significantly improve weld run time, fit-up accuracy, and fixturing effectiveness to increase throughput, reduce rework, and improve overall manufacturing efficiency.

Weld Runtime Optimization

• Analyze current weld run times versus standard or estimated times
• Identify inefficiencies caused by process variation, poor joint prep, excessive repositioning, or non-value-added steps
• Develop and implement standardized welding sequences, parameters, and techniques to reduce cycle time without compromising quality
• Work closely with Engineering and Production to establish realistic labor standards and repeatable processes

Fit-Up Improvement

• Drive consistent, accurate fit-up to reduce weld defects, distortion, and rework
• Identify root causes of poor fit-up including tolerance stack-ups, material variation, and upstream fabrication issues
• Establish clear fit-up standards and visual work instructions
• Train welders and fitters on proper fit-up techniques and expectations

Fixturing & Repeatability

• Lead the development, and continuous improvement of fixtures and jigs that ensure:
• Proper alignment and repeatability
• Reduced setup time
• Improved ergonomics and safety
• Consistent weld quality across shifts and operators
• Evaluate existing fixtures for effectiveness and redesign as needed to support production volume and accuracy

Measurable Outcomes & Accountability

• Reduce overall weld cycle time per part or assembly
• Improve first-pass yield and reduce scrap and rework
• Increase throughput and labor efficiency within the welding department
• Improve schedule adherence through predictable and repeatable welding operations

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with Engineering, Quality, and Scheduling to ensure designs, tolerances, and fixtures support efficient welding
• Provide feedback to upstream processes to eliminate recurring fit-up issues before parts reach welding

Additional Industry-Standard Requirements

• Knowledge of lean manufacturing principles/continuous improvement and implementation
• Knowledge of manufacturing KPIs (throughput, efficiency, scrap, rework, labor utilization)
• Support ISO, customer audits, or regulated manufacturing environments
• Ability to troubleshoot equipment, processes, and workflow issues
• Strong organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills

Technology & Software Proficiency

• Comfortable using ERP/MRP systems, scheduling software, and production tracking tools
• Proficient with basic office software (email, spreadsheets, documentation tools)
• Ability to work closely with administrative and planning teams using digital systems

Physical Requirements

• Ability to work in a manufacturing environment
• May require standing, walking, lifting, and occasional hands-on welding support
• Ability to wear appropriate PPE

Pay

$75,000.00 - $85,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Education:

Required: High school or equivalent

Language:

Preferred: Spanish

License/Certification:

Preferred: CWB or AWS certification

Work Location:

In person